Dental tool



Feb; 8, 1938. w, HENMNG u 2,107,791

DENTAL TOOL Filed Feb.. 24, 1936 Zifinentor Wlllzam Hennmg. By "'1 4 g a (Ittorneg Patented Feb. 8, 1938 PATENT OFFICE DENTAL- TOOL William Henning, Peru, Nebr.

"*Application February 24, 1936, Serial No. 65,258

b 2 Claims. This invention relates to dental tools and more particularly to a tool for examining tooth cavities, dentures and the like.

It is an object of the invention to provide a tool having self-contained parts which function to illuminate the interior of the mouth which will concentrate a beam of light on a mirror, the latter being so arranged that the operator may visualize the rear side of tooth cavities readily.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tool for the above stated purposes which may be readily taken apart for sterilizing the portion thereof which requires the same.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device which is of simple construction and economical in manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention will be more fully described hereinafter and more particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

In the drawing wherein like symbols refer to like or corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the new tool and a diagrammatic or dotted line representation of a denture.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the'tool turned at a right angle with respect to the showin thereof in Figure 1. r

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken on the line 3--3 of Figure l, and

a Figure 4 is a transverse section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Referring now to the drawing for a more particular description the numeral It! indicates an elongated tubular casing having a closed end ll,

through which projects a switch button I2 for centrally positioned. I A hood l6 primarily of conical tubular form is positioned in abutting relation against the open end of the casing I0. The'hood is provided with an annular flange I! which fits over the outerperimeter of the wall of the casing and is 1 adapted to grip the same since the hood is split hood being formedby a die press operation of a v55 longitudinally during the formation thereof, said single piece of metal.

Near the apex of the conical hood an aperture I8 is provided in longitudinal or axial alignment with the casing l0.

Preferably integrally formed with the hood a shaft is is provided as illustrated in the modifications Figures 1 to 4 inclusive. The shaft 19 is provided with a bent portion 20 to which the frame 2 I is secured. The frame carries a reflecting mirror 22, in a manner whereby the mirror is partially offset with respect to the axis of the casing ill, but having a portion in alignment with the aperture 18 and the bulb l4.

As thus described it will be noted that the hood l6 and its integral parts may be readily detached from the casing l and placed in a sterilizing apparatus or boiled after use.

In operation assuming that it is desired to examine that side of a denture indicated at X in Figure l the tool is inserted into the mouth of a patient, the circuit being simultaneously closed whereby light is emitted through the aperture l8 upon the mirror, said light being directed angularly which results from the inclined position of the mirror and which is concentrated on the point indicated at X of the denture, whereby the operator may readily examine said side.

The battery and casing ID are comparatively minute in diameter and of light weight as is essential whereby the light emitted from the bulb I4 is not of great strength. The hood functions to prevent said light from becoming diffused, said light further being prevented from unwanted absorption by means of the reflecting surface provided by the interior of the polished hood, said amplified light being concentrated on the aperture l8 and the mirror 22.

It is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made in the details of construction and design of the above specifically described embodiment of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof, such changes and modifications being restricted only by the scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim is:-

1. A dental mirror, comprising a handle casing having a lamp in its outer end, a combined hood and mirror support having a conical inner end portion detachably engaging about the casing in the zone of the lamp and converging outwardly therefrom to provide a hood, one side of said conical portion. extending therebeyond in offset relation to the axis of the lamp to provide a supporting arm, and a mirror mounted on the outer end of the supporting arm and extending therefrom diagonally across the axis of the lamp,

said conical portion having a lateral opening in its reduced outer end at the side remote from said supporting arm, the converging walls of the conical portion adapted to converge and direct light rays from the said lamp through the said lateral opening and over the surface of the said mirror.

2. A dental mirror, comprising a handle casing having a lamp in its outer end, a one piece sheet metal hood and mirror support of substantially circular cross-section, said support having a conical hood at one end and a cylindrical supporting arm projecting from the apex of the hood to the opposite end of the support, the enlarged end of the hood removably engaging said handle casing in the zone of the said lamp to support the hood and arm outwardly of the lamp, a mirror mounted on the outer end of the supporting 5 arm and extending therefrom diagonally across the axis of the lamp, said conical hood having an aperture in one side remote from said arm and adjacent its apex, whereby light rays from the said lamp are directed through the hood and 1 aperture against the said mirror. r

- WILLIAM HENNING. 

